TO: Mayor and City Council
THROUGH:
FROM: Steve Powers, City Manager
SUBJECT:
title
Storm Update
Ward(s): All Wards
Councilor(s): All Councilors
Neighborhood(s): All Neighborhoods
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Information Only.
City clean-up continues in the aftermath of an ice storm that is being considered one of the most damaging events in Salem history. Fortunately, there have been no deaths or serious injuries reported in Salem. Neighbors are helping neighbors with debris clean-up and removal. City Public Works employees continue to work long hours, safely and courteously, removing debris. Police and Fire are checking on those in need. While the City does not have a direct role in providing electricity or telecommunications, I appreciate the long hours of work by the utilities and businesses to restore service.
The City has 15 crews clearing streets and high priority locations. Citywide arterial streets, as well as downtown and inner neighborhoods remain the focus of the clean-up efforts, likely through the end of this week. There are three crews clearing debris from parks.
The four community debris collections sites have been heavily used, with an estimated 11,200 cubic yards of debris received over the past five days. To help you picture this amount, a City dump truck can carry about 10 cubic yards, so 1,120 dump truck loads of woody debris have been collected at our sites. The sites will remain open (McKay closed today so crews can catch up on disposal) through the weekend. The number of sites and duration will be evaluated throughout the week.
All City water and wastewater pump stations are now operating on normal power. All but two traffic signals that are the responsibility of the City have power. The two without power are operating on generators.
The City is prepared to assist with tree clearance and removal at specific locations upon the request of PGE. City crews cannot remove trees or branches that are entangled with power lines.
City emergency response staff continue to work with the Marion County Emergency Operations Center regarding assistance to the community. Through the weekend, the resources available, supplemented by welfare checks by Salem Police and Fire, have met the needs of Salem residents. There are two daytime warming/power stations available in Salem,
455 Locus St NE - Salem Evangelical Church
4227 Lone Oak Rd SE - Queen of Peach Catholic Church
We will continue to evaluate the need for assistance as the power outage continues. We will continue to share information on assistance resources available in the community.
Center 50+ can help older residents through the WOW Van at 503-588-6349. Help may include:
• bringing debris curbside (Volunteers are unable to use saws but can help with stacking or loading trucks once debris is broken down.)
• food
• a friendly call or in-person check
Marion County’s Call Center Help Line is 503-588-5108.
The best way to volunteer for storm recovery right now is to help in your own neighborhood. The City is not currently accepting volunteers to help in right-of-way or park clearing due to the danger involved. CERT and other volunteers are helping at the collection sites.
Attachments:
1. None